AB1408 INVESTIGATION OF GAIT SYMMETRY, CERVICAL PROPRIOCEPTION AND FUNCTIONALITY IN INDIVIDUALS WITH CHRONIC IDIOPATHIC NECK PAIN
Authors: H. Ayan, B. Kara, R. Erbayraktar
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2023)

<h3>Background</h3> Previous studies have shown that persons with chronic idiopathic neck pain (CINP) have gait disturbances [1]. However, it has not been clarified whether they have gait asymmetries. Cervical proprioception is important to maintain gait function [2]. However the association between gait symmetry and cervical proprioception in CINP is not known. <h3>Objectives</h3> The first aim was to investigate gait symmetry, cervical proprioception, cervical range of motion, and functional disability in persons with CINP and compare them with healthy controls (HC). The second aim was to investigate the relationship between gait symmetry and cervical proprioception and functional disability in persons with CINP. <h3>Methods</h3> This study included 35 persons with CINP (27 females, 8 males, mean age 25.48 ± 8.69 years), and 34 HC (25 females, 9 males, mean age 25.76 ± 7.96 years). Gait symmetry was assessed with a wearable sensor device. The device, which can provide real-time data transfer in determining gait symmetry, allows the patient to move freely without laboratory conditions with its wireless sensor feature. Joint position error (JPE) was assessed for proprioceptive ability. The cervical range of motion (flexion, extension, lateral flexion, rotation) and cervical JPE (flexion, extension, lateral flexion, rotation) were evaluated with an easy-to-use device (Cervical Range of Motion; CROM) containing 3 head-mounted inclinometers. Neck Disability Index (NDI) was used to assess functional disability in the CINP group. <h3>Results</h3> Persons with CINP had significantly worse gait symmetry than HC (p&lt;0.001). There were significant differences between the CINP and HC in all directions of cervical JPE and all directions of cervical range of motion (p&lt;0.01). In the CINP group, gait symmetry was significantly correlated with the cervical JPE (flexion, extension, right lateral flexion, r = -0.387, -0.459, -0.443, p&lt;0.05) and NDI (r = -0.493, p&lt;0.05). There were not significant correlation between gait symmetry and cervical left lateral flexion (r = -0.237, p=0.171), and right cervical rotation (r = -0.187, p=0.171) and left cervical rotation (r = -0.102, p=0.561) JPE. <h3>Conclusion</h3> In our study persons with CINP had significantly more asymmetrical gait, worse cervical proprioception and worse cervical range of motion compared to the healthy controls. It has been shown that gait symmetry is related to cervical proprioception (flexion, extension, right lateral flexion) and functional disability in CINP. <h3>References</h3> [1]Uthaikhup S, Sunkarat S, Khamsaen K, Meeyan K, Treleaven J. 2014. The effects of head movement and walking speed on gait parameters in patients with chronic neck pain. Man Ther. 19(2):137–141. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.math.2013.09.004 [2]Malmström EM, Fransson PA, Jaxmar Bruinen T, Facic S, Tjernström F. 2017. Disturbed cervical proprioception affects perception of spatial orientation while in motion. Exp Brain Res. 1;235(9):2755–66. <h3>Acknowledgements:</h3> NIL. <h3>Disclosure of Interests</h3> None Declared.